Untitled Document

Mark Chaidez is a local Miami artist who was born, raised and now lives in Miami. He has been doing drawings of various motifs around and in the city for sometime, most of his images are derived from local sources. He has no formal training in the arts, he draws because he enjoys it.
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I first met and came to know Mark at my gallery/cafe; he would come in and buy coffee, postcards and other items. At some point he brought in some drawings that he had been doing. Based on what I saw I suggested he do a series of Miami buildings. The resulting show is the product of his efforts.

In art historical terms Mark's style of work is often referred to as
"folk art,' or "outsider art," due mainly to the self taught nature of the artist. This aspect of the work is what creates an interesting interpretation of the three dimensional form that define the various buildings. One thinks of the motivational behavior required to create these works of art, i.e., the drive to translate a felt experience into a tantigible reified object; it is this force that pushes the artist to overcome a lack training and a lack of audience to materialize his feelings.

Mark's use of detail and patterns make for delightful compositions; one often sees the title of the drawings (the buildings name) somewhere in the free space of the paper's border, a technique I at first questioned but have since come to enjoy. I am sure the viewer also will appreciate and enjoy Mark's love for drawing and the city in which he was born and raised.

Jim Coates